Present / survival kit for nephew starting university

[Aridane]

My lovely nephew starts university next month and I would love to get him a box of fun and practical stuff for uni - but have no idea what to get him!!

So far I have thought of a Nando’s gift card, pistachio nuts (which he loves!) and paracetamol.

He is a lovely boy - not sporty, a bit geeky and with a passion for learning. He will be going to Bristol straight from school.

Any ideas gratefully received- I’m very much at sea here.

Meningitis cover?

I bought my cousin (I'm quite a bit older) a toastie maker when he went to uni, and he absolutely loved it as did his new friends in halls.

Door stop, screwdriver, thermometer, (door stop helped make friends on those first days as the door stays open for people to pop heads in. The other two were my most borrowed items)

blu tank, picture rail hangers, drawing pins (depends how they prefer them to hang their posters!)

DS1 took a compete set of screwdrivers last year. They came home unopened. 🤔

Something to share with his flatmates ......jager, red bull and shot classes? Sweets, crisps etc. Things you'd have at a party.

Fancy dress clothes.....always needed!

I was going to say a cook book. Or maybe a box of ingredients and a recipe for something simple like a good tomato sauce for pasta. Or make him some homemade soup to freeze. Or bedding/towels?

Oooh, watching with interest, my cousin starts uni this year and a hamper for her to take would be a great idea!

I had a wire mesh tray thing that I put all of my shower stuff in so I could carry it to the communal shower and back. A nice thing of luxury hot chocolate would be good too. I think I'll stick in a few notepads / lined paper refills and some nice pens. A travel mug will never go amiss.

Meningitis is one of the major health risks for young adults in their first year at university. It's recommended that they have the jabs before they go if they aren't already covered.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/men-acwy-vaccine/

It depends on what he's allowed, but thinking back to when I was a student/worked at a uni...

• mini fridge for his room to keep his milk/cheese/beer/cola etc away from thieving fellow students rolling in drunk and helping themselves to things in the communal fridge
• travel kettle and "survival kit" of teas, coffee, hot chocolate, powdered milk/coffee mate, sugar/honey/agave syrup, Heinz stir in soup thingies (just add water) or packet soups, mug shots/pot noodles, cereal variety pack
• if he drinks, his own "mini cocktail bar" of assorted alcohol miniatures and mixers
• mini oven or sandwich toaster or hot plate (but you really do need to check with halls/uni regulations about where they can be used) - as a member of staff doing my rounds I once came across a nursing student (yes really) who'd plugged a full kettle of water in next to the bank of computers and didn't understand why I was a little bit upset...

• his own plate (1 big, 1 small), bowl, knife, fork, big spoon, mirror (yes, really - Queen's University Belfast, I'm looking at you and your "furnished" rooms)

• portable speakers or good headphones

• nice travel mug/insulated mug for him to take to lectures and save on overpriced coffee (Robert Dyas do a Hogwarts one that made me laugh out loud, it would be so suitable for Bristol though I can't vouch for how good it is) or collapsible cup that he can stick in his backpack for water etc

• the next suggestions are a bit off the wall, but travel iron/mini ironing board; or mini hoover; or multisocket adapter thing so he can plug lots of electronics in; or wrinkle rescue (clothes) spray in case he needs to look smart in a hurry

• Dylon travel wash

• travel washing line or small airer

• cabin luggage sized wheely case

• going a bit retro, what about an alarm clock for those times he forgets to charge his phone?

I second the pack of cards and power bank a couple of previous posters suggested, and there's always travel versions of things like Cluedo and Scrabble....and if all else fails there are always amazon vouchers to fall back on

Bristol is a great city with tons going on, and you can get just about anything you need/want there, at prices to suit from charity shop to Home Bargains to John Lewis/boutique/artisan. And if he needs a bit of space or fresh air, it's fairly easy to get to coast or country by train or (usually slow) bus. Mostly people are friendly and approachable, I'm sure he'll really enjoy his time there. Hopefully he's got good waterproof gear, though, it isn't called the We(s)t Country for nothing! (Though this year's been unusual.)

Sister has now barred me from buying him anything other than vouchers . Still, there will be three years for me to get him studenty presents.

Bit harsh - especially as he is an adult.
Is she the gift police?

He's an adult and you are an adult. She can't bar you from buying him stuff. She doesn't have to even know.

Ha - not only has she not given me his prospective address (she will tell me ‘nearer the time’), she’s not telling me the area, other than it’s central. I asked about the area so I could work out the best vouchers etc for supermarkets - and was told Sainsburys was .1 mile away and to get Sainsburys vouchers.

Oh well. Will put it down to stress and her wanting to manage everything for her much adored boy.

That's wierd. I was going to suggest an Aeropress coffee maker. My dd loves hers.
Can you just text him and ask for his address?

How about an Amazon fire stick? Or a Netflix subscription? Or both if you’re feeling flush.

I got my cousin a Netflix subscription and it really helped her out in her first weeks. People gravitated to her dorm to watch things with her. I got a couple of big funky serving bowls and some microwave popcorn and they went down a treat too.

Yes, just text him.

Just give him money. My ds would have hated bits and pueces as liked to travel light. Could you get his bank details and now and then surprise him with 20 pounds. My ds would have kissed your feet for that.
He never forgot anyone who gave him money during college as always borderline broke.

Honestly, vouchers or money will be best for him. I know it may be fun to choose lovely thoughtful things, but he know best what he really needs/wants/likes.

I'm wondering why his mum feels the need to protect him from your benevolence - do you possibly have a tendency to be overthink and over-arrange?

No, but she does!

Anyhow, vouchers it is

Text him, ask what vouchers he would like. Job done.

Cash

Emergency, supermarket gift card.

5000 packets of ramen noodles.

A pot noodle fork.

Cash
Many 18 year olds do not drink coffee
Loads of the stuff suggested is poinless tat (sorry)

3 at uni, cash is king

I have to agree. DS1 (19) hates coffee and never eats noodles.

It is all about the money really.